HC Deb 07 July 1989 vol 156 c332W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the medical advice he has received on the exemption of severe dementia sufferers from the community charge;

(2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice to be given to general practitioners on the procedures for exempting severely mentally impaired people from the community charge.

Mr. Freeman

Policy on exemptions from the personal community charge is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and we have therefore received no medical advice on the exemption of severe dementia sufferers. However, I understand that advice has been given by my officials to the Department of the Environment.

A copy of the guidance to general practitioners on the procedure to be adopted when exemption from the personal community charge is claimed on grounds of severe mental impairment will be placed in the Library when it is issued.